Welcome to this website’s off-season sports sartorial content. We are counting down the world’s top 50 most iconic sports uniforms. Only current uniforms apply, we are not including one-off or alternate uniforms. Let’s stick to the basics.
#45
Chicago Bears
Ask me on a different day and I might not include the Bears in this list. I also struggled with picking their traditional home uniform versus their road white jerseys and socks paired with the blue pants which in my estimation is among the best road uniforms in the National Football League. I’d have to give that road look top 3 league status for Chicago, what do Bears fans think?
Today, I’m including their home uniform which might hold more iconic status. This makes the Bears the 2nd of 7 NFL teams that will make the top 50 countdown. Can you guess the others?
I’ll start with the helmet. As a small kid (despite not being a Bears fan) we had a large built-in toy chest with a singular Bears logo sticker on it. This was during the Super Bowl Shuffle era and previous homeowners must’ve jumped on the bandwagon. I’ve felt the logo has always been underrated in professional sports. It’s simple, recognizable, and feels very Americana-y to me in a way that few football teams can pull off.
I was a little surprised to see the logo didn’t debut until the early 1960’s (some 40+ years into their existence) and even worse the Cincinnati Reds’ version of the logo was created some 50 years prior. Be that as it may, my football bias is showing as I consider this the Bears logo first and foremost.
The gray facemasks used in the past looked great but the all dark blue without any helmet stripes has really turned into an iconic look for the last 40 years.
The striping on the uniform (don’t forget the socks too) are all top notch. Plus, the rounded jersey numbers are unmistakably Chicago and is a nice little touch to add some uniqueness to a very traditional uniform.
This is my top iconic NFL uniform (although I wouldn’t argue it’s the actual #1 most iconic). This is the uniform I think of when I think of the NFL (specifically on Butkus or Payton) and I am from New England. Maybe it’s because of the other iconic uniforms it’s the one I’ve never seen win a championship, so I don’t have any bitterness towards them, unlike the Cowboys, Packers, and Steelers.
But, I guess the fact they haven’t won much in my lifetime (I was 6 months old for their Super Bowl), makes it even more impressive that they are so iconic to me?
My guess for the five remaining NFL uniforms on the list:
Cowboys
Vikings
Bengals
49ers
Saints
I would throw (as possibilities) into the ring both uniforms pictured here
I was thinking during the game on Monday how sharp the Bills’ uniform looks and wondering if they’d make this list.
I’d think the guy from Buffalo has an affinity for the Bills logo.
Other 5 are going to be:
Bills
Dolphins
Steelers
Packers
Raiders
(Eric seems to like more conservative unis – I was tempted to put the Cowboys on the list, but after ’93 & ’94, I assume all Buffalotonians hate the Dallas Cowboys)
Raiders?
Trash uniform. There’s no way to make silver look good on a football uniform (also why Georgia’s uniforms are actually pretty bad).
You got 2!
Also, I miscounted and we have 6 more NFL teams to go….
I am a diehard Cowboys fan. But if the 49ers don’t make your top 10, i will be canceling my 18S premium subscription!
The suspense is going to be unbearable.
Really could pick almost 50% of the NFL to make a “most iconic” list.
My guess for your list:
Colts
Bears
Dolphins
Packers
Niners
Eagles
Bills
Cowboys
Other candidates:
Steelers
Patriots
Vikings
Giants
Saints
Bengals
Huh. I am a Panthers fan and we shouldn’t be on the list, but I would think the NFL uni rankings would be:
Steelers, Niners, [big gap], Cowboys, [big gap], the rest.
I can confirm the Dolphins will not make the list. Moved on from their traditional uniforms and their new-ish logo gives them a bottom third helmet in the league.